Second to Cry (12 page)

It always amazed him how tiny she was, yet how she continued to grow and become stronger. Her hand was so tiny; it fit completely in his own. Yet she led him along, her little body weaving amongst the other children, a look of steely determination on her decorated face.

Watching Meegan grow up was an honour Aiden would never forsake for anything. Times like this when he could be with her and participate in her fun, it validatedthe entire move to Avalon for him.

At the puppet booth Meegan sat down crossed-legged on the trimmed grass lawn with the other children and Aiden lingered at the back with the handful of other parents who had been pulled there by their offspring.

The children laughed and cheered at the show which they watched, bewitched, beneath the golden glow of the sun.

Children belonged outside, with fresh air in their lungs. Aiden loved to see how the sunlight brought out freckles on Meegan’s face. She looked healthy and she seemed happy. Aiden felt confident that he was giving her the best childhood he possibly could.

Looking back, he hadn’t been ready to become a father but he liked to think that he had fully embraced the role and that when Meegan was older, she would feel that he did a good job, that he was a good father to her.

With Meegan engrossed in the puppet show, Aiden felt his mind wander back to his previous thoughts about Deena Fern and the true identity of Davis’ father. He looked at the other men present at the party, local men of Avalon, could it be any of them? Her fear about it all made him uneasy; perhaps he had underestimated Samuel Fern’s intentions. What if all the old man wanted was revenge on his wife’s lover? The paternity test could just be a ruse to uncover the man’s identity.

It all felt like a plot from an afternoon TV drama, but Aiden had learnt first-hand just how deceptive the people of Avalon could be, and the extreme measures some of them would go to in order to preserve family honour.

‘Penny for your thoughts?’ Edmond asked, appearing at Aiden’s side, a drowsy grandson in his arms.

‘The party get too much for him?’ Aiden asked, looking towards the small boy who was trying to fight his falling eyelids and failing.

‘The birthday boy is all partied out I think,’ Edmond admitted. ‘I’ll take him inside in a bit for a nap. I just wondered how you were getting on, your wife seems to be making friends,’ he added.

‘That have anything to do with you?’ Aiden smiled.

‘What, me?’ Edmond tried to sound shocked but couldn’t conceal his trademark chuckle. ‘I had a brief word with the wife. She’s like some sort of social guru in Avalon, one word from her that your wife’s okay and the rest of the mothers’ club are happy to come clucking round. They are all just a bunch of hens with too much time on their hands,’ he shook his head and looked down at Jackson who was now sleeping upon his chest.

‘Well, I appreciate it; Isla’s been keen to make friends here.’

‘And she will. We’re not all bad you know!’ Edmond laughed. ‘I’d best take this little monster inside.’

‘Can I join you? I’d like to ask you something away from prying ears,’ Aiden asked.

Edmond nodded and he followed him into the welcome cool of his grand home. One of the upstairs bedrooms was used solely for the grandsons and decorated like the inside of a pirate ship.

Jackson was laid down on the bottom bunk. He didn’t even move as he was placed down, he was sound asleep.

‘What’s up?’ Edmond whispered as he shut the door to the bedroom behind him. They were now on the landing, standing on the beige carpeted floor. The magnolia walls were covered in framed pictures of Edmond and his extended family. Whilst his home exuded wealth, it also had a homely, family-centred feel which made the place always feel welcoming. Aiden liked it there, it was a wonderful home and he regularly told Edmond so.

‘I was just wondering about Samuel Fern.’

‘Oh?’

‘Is he powerful?’

‘He’s wealthy.’

‘Yes, but is he powerful with it too? His brother is the sheriff of the town; do you reckon that gives him more leeway than normal?’

Edmond pondered on the question for a moment and gaze Aiden a quizzical glance.

‘Are you asking how law-abiding I think he is?’

‘I guess so.’

‘He’s pretty down the line from all accounts. And if he wasn’t, given his animosity with his brother, I don’t think Buck Fern would let much slide, family or not.’

‘Okay, thanks.’

‘What are you worried he’s done?’

‘Not what he’s done, what he could be capable of doing,’ Aiden corrected.

‘Well then, I definitely can’t answer on that, nor could I for you or I. I don’t think any of us ever truly know what we are capable of doing,’ Edmond answered wisely.

‘Yeah, you’re right.’

‘You got an issue with the case?’

‘Sort of,’ Aiden sighed. ‘I get the impression that his wife is scared of him.’

‘I doubt that,’ Edmond answered flatly. ‘I imagine that all she fears is a life without his money. Now come on, let’s get back to the party before the swarm of children completely destroy my garden!’

Meegan was spent. Tears of tired frustration ran down her cheeks, causing the wings of her butterfly to sag.

‘It’s time to go,’ Aiden told her.

‘Noooo!’ Meegan squealed, sitting down stubbornly on the lawn and refusing to move.

‘She’s tired,’ Isla noted.

‘Am not!’

‘Meegan Connelly, I’m going to count to five and if you’ve not moved by then I’m going to carry you to the car myself!’

Ten minutes later and Meegan was fast asleep in her car seat as Aiden reversed off the drive, his back sore from her kicking against it as he’d carried her away from what she emphatically told him was the ‘greatest place ever’ and she ‘hated him’ for taking her away.

‘I’m glad you made friends today,’ Aiden said to Isla but she didn’t respond. Quickly glancing over, he saw that she was also sleeping. It was going to be a quiet drive home.

*

Aiden knew where to find Deena Fern. He knew she would be in attendance at the next high school football game and he was determined to speak with her.

However, once at the game, he struggled to locate the unmistakeable platinum glow of Deena’s hair amongst the crowd.

‘Football, football!’ Meegan screamed with delight from her perch on his knee. It was just the two of them that night as Isla had been feeling unwell and was complaining about ‘lady problems’ and so remained at home in bed.

The stands were packed as per usual but Aiden spotted no trace of Mrs Fern.

During half time he went down with Meegan to the food vendors, even though she hadn’t yet finished the popcorn he’d bought her before the game.

‘Popcorn?’ the toddler asked with surprised glee as they walked down from the stands to the kiosk area.

‘No, we’re just stretching our legs,’ Aiden told her.

He ignored the tantrum which then ensued, deciding to just let Meegan tire herself out whilst he scanned the crowd. Amongst the brightly coloured jerseys there still wasn’t a trace of Deena Fern. Perhaps he had been wrong; maybe she had boycotted the game in an effort to evade him.

Feeling disheartened, he returned to his seat and watched the rest of the game. Meegan was now too sleepy to enjoy it following her outburst regarding sweet snacks. The team losing only added to Aiden’s souring mood.

Meegan was now sleeping soundly on Aiden’s shoulder as he headed for the parking lot. He’d all but lost hope when he spotted a black SUV. It looked almost identical to Deena Fern’s. He was about to fear it was nothing more than a coincidence when Deena appeared, Davis and Jude in tow, the former looking as tired as Meegan was.

Deena saw Aiden and her eyes widened with fear. He noticed her body tense as she approached her car, her hands tightening their grip on her young sons.

‘Mr Connelly,’ she greeted him but it sounded more like a question, querying why he was lingering near her vehicle.

‘I need to talk to you,’ Aiden wasted no time in getting straight to the point.

‘No you don’t,’ Deena replied curtly, focusing on lifting a sleepy Davis into the car whilst Jude obediently climbed in himself.

‘Yes, I do.’

‘We have nothing to talk about,’ Deena said sharply, turning to face him. Her tone was cold but her eyes were fearful.

She then continued to strap her sons into her car. Davis fought at her, though not giving it his full conviction, he was too tired to put up much resistance. Jude sat and watched his mother, a look of concern on his young face.

‘I just want to help,’ Aiden said softly.

Deena froze and then turned slowly to look at him, shutting the door to her car as she did so.

‘You want to help me?’ she didn’t sound convinced.

‘Yes, I do. Please, if we can just talk?’ Aiden pleaded.

‘You really are a sucker for blondes in distress,’ Deena swiped at him.

‘I don’t see many other people rallying to your aid so maybe you can quit being such a bitch,’ Aiden bit back. ‘I’m trying to be a good guy here.’

‘There’s no such thing as a good guy,’ Deena retorted with the sincerity of a woman who has been burnt by men on numerous occasions.

‘Let me help you, let’s talk,’ Aiden urged.

‘Fine,’ Deena sighed. ‘But not here, and not with the children. Meet me at Miller’s Café tomorrow at three.’

Miller’s Café was located in the next town over and was renowned for serving a vast selection of teas. Its modest name belied its high-quality interior and menu. It was more of a boutique restaurant than a cafe, with a Parisian style which the French owners had brought with them when they relocated some twenty years previously.

Aiden pulled into the parking lot beside the cafe and saw that Deena’s SUV was already there. It was parked at the back.

Inside, the cafe was divided into small tables and separate booths, which offered patrons more privacy. Deena was settled in a booth, already sipping from what looked like an iced tea, though it was more lavish than its namesake, adorned with spirals of orange peel and a rim of sugar.

Isla was fond of Miller’s Cafe; she felt it added a much-needed touch of class to Avalon, but they rarely got to go there as children weren’t welcome amongst the clientele. It was also beyond the price budget for most Avalon residents, undoubtedly the reason which made Deena select it for their meeting.

‘Hi,’ Aiden gave a brief greeting and slid into the booth across from her. Deena nodded politely and hailed a waiter over with her hand.

‘I’ll have an iced tea, thanks,’ Aiden told the waiter. ‘It’s a nice place.’ He looked around the cafe as he spoke.

‘It’s okay.’

‘Thank you for meeting me.’

‘Did I have a choice?’

‘Of course!’ Aiden said, offended.

‘I thought perhaps you intended to blackmail me over what I said.’

‘I’d never do that. Like I told you, I just want to help.’

‘How can you help me?’ Deena challenged. It was then that Aiden noticed how sore her eyes looked; they’d lost their usual sparkle.

‘Why did you say Davis’ father was a dead man? Are you frightened that Samuel will go after him? Will hurt him?’ Aiden asked, making sure to keep his voice low.

Deena went to answer, but the waiter came over so she bit her tongue. Aiden gratefully took his iced tea and tried to resume the conversation.

‘I can’t help you if you don’t tell me anything. Do you fear your husband?’

‘Of course,’ Deena sighed. ‘All women in my position fear their husbands because their husbands hold all the cards.’

‘You mean money?’ Aiden clarified.

‘I guess so, yes.’

‘You don’t have money of your own? You were once a successful model.’

‘Model?’ Deena blushed at the word. ‘That’s kind of you to label me as such. And yes, I have money of my own but it pales in comparison to my husband’s wealth. I could put my sons through college, give them a normal life but Samuel can give them an extraordinary one and, like any parent, I just want what is best for my children.’

‘So you’re scared that if your husband learns the truth he will cut your children out.’

‘He will cut Davis out. That’s not what I want.’ Deena stirred her iced tea with its straw and looked troubled.

‘Who is the father?’ Aiden asked gently.

‘I’ve told you.’

‘No, you haven’t.’

‘Davis’ father is a dead man.’

‘Look, I know you are scared for his safety but I’m certain that no harm will come to him—’ Aiden began but Deena interrupted him.

‘You don’t understand, Mr Connelly. His father is a literal dead man.’

‘You mean he’s already dead?’ Aiden asked, shocked.

‘Yes,’ Deena looked down at the table, unable to meet his gaze.

Aiden tried to make sense of what she was saying. Was there another senior millionaire in her life? Had he recently passed on?

‘Well, I’m sorry to hear that. Who was he?’

‘Does it matter?’ Deena sighed.

‘I don’t know, does it?’ Aiden turned the question onto her, himself wondering if the father’s identity still mattered now he knew he was deceased.

‘So you can understand my predicament,’ Deena said sadly. ‘If Samuel knows the truth, he disowns Davis, who is then left without a father, without anything, because his paternal father is dead.’

‘I see.’

‘I need you to keep my secret, Mr Connelly. For my son’s sake. My family risks being torn apart and losing everything, I can’t have that happen.’

‘How did he die?’ Aiden asked, curious. ‘Davis’ father?’

‘He was murdered,’ Deena answered, her voice empty.

‘Murdered?’ Aiden was shocked.

‘Don’t look so surprised,’ Deena chastised. ‘You worked on his case.’

‘His case?’ Aiden felt confused. Then, suddenly, something dropped into place and he didn’t know what to say.

‘You mean?’

‘Yes, Brandon White is the father of my son.’

The room began to spin as Aiden tried to absorb the information he had been given. Brandon White, the deceased, murdered Brandon White, was the father of Davis Fern. It was almost too much to comprehend.

‘Shocking, isn’t it?’ Deena tried to smile but her eyes remained sad and lost.

‘Were you involved with him?’ Aiden managed to ask.